• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000

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Position Summary

Columbia University Human Resources (CUHR) is dedicated to providing quality service to develop, manage, and support the University's vibrant community so our faculty and staff can do great work.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, HR Strategy and Operations, the Human Resources Business Partner serves as the primary HR advisor for an assigned portfolio of schools, institutes, and academic/administrative departments. The HRBP provides consultation on employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, workforce planning, and organizational matters, and helps ensure coordinated and consistent HR support across the University’s decentralized environment. The role exercises independent judgment within established University policies and practices, develops recommendations on challenging issues, and consults with Senior Human Resources Business Partners and appropriate University offices when matters require additional technical, institutional, or risk review. The position also supports portfolio projects, compliance activities, engagement initiatives, and assigned case work across HR Advisory Support.

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Responsibilities

Strategic HR Advisory and Portfolio Partnership

• Serve as the primary HR advisor for an assigned portfolio of clients comprised of schools, institutes, and academic/administrative departments.
• Build effective relationships with leaders, managers, and local HR partners; maintain regular engagement and understand client objectives, workforce priorities, and service needs.
• Provide consultation on employee matters, performance management, policy interpretation, workforce planning, organizational matters, and implementation of established HR practices.
• Analyze issues, identify options and risks, make well-supported recommendations, and coordinate follow-through.

Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Case Support

• Counsel leaders and local HR partners on performance expectations, feedback, documentation, performance improvement, workplace conflict, conduct, and other employee-related concerns.
• Triage sensitive matters, gather and organize relevant information, assess risk and urgency, and determine when consultation or escalation is needed.
• Partner with Senior Human Resources Business Partners and designated technical leads on complex, high-risk, precedent-setting, or legally sensitive matters.
• Provide project and investigation support as assigned, including coordination, fact-finding, documentation, and follow-up.
• Maintain confidentiality, accurate records, and timely communication throughout case activity.

Policy Interpretation, Compliance, and Risk Support

• Interpret and explain HR policies, procedures, and practices; help clients apply requirements consistently and address questions or gaps.
• Coordinate portfolio-related compliance activities, identify implementation issues, recommend corrective steps, and monitor follow-through.
• Recognize nonstandard or potentially precedent-setting matters and escalate them to the Assistant Vice President, a Senior Human Resources Business Partner, or an appropriate University office.
• Collaborate with central HR functions and other University offices to align advice, clarify roles and responsibilities, and support sound resolution of client matters.

Workforce Planning and Organizational Support

• Support workforce planning and organizational matters by analyzing current practices, staffing needs, role clarity, operating priorities, and implementation considerations.
• Participate in strategic planning and forecasting for the assigned portfolio by conducting analysis and developing recommendations on workforce and organizational issues.
• Facilitate stakeholder discussions, manage competing interests, and help leaders align on practical next steps.
• Support change implementation, communication, and adoption; use available data and client feedback to identify trends and service opportunities.

Projects and Team Support

• Coordinate assigned portfolio initiatives and projects, including compliance, engagement, and programming activities.
• Establish objectives, timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables; monitor progress, identify implementation issues, and provide clear status updates.
• Serve as backup to Senior Human Resources Business Partners and provide cross-portfolio support as assigned.
• Work with the Assistant Vice President, Senior Human Resources Business Partners, HR Operations Specialist, HR Generalist, local HR leaders, central HR functions, and other University partners to deliver coordinated support and improve service consistency.

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Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of related experience are required. An advanced degree is preferred.

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Other Requirements

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible HR experience, including HR consultation, employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, workforce planning, recruitment, employee development and retention, organizational development, compensation analysis, training and development, HR needs analysis, metrics development, or related work.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a strategic and tactical business partner to managers and senior stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency with HRIS and analytics platforms.
• Ability to design, interpret, and present data visualizations, dashboards, and workforce reports using tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Ability to use approved AI-enabled tools to support drafting, analysis, and workflow efficiency while protecting confidential information and verifying accuracy before use or distribution.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

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Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.